- The rangefinder-style Esquisse Digicam is about for launch in This autumn of 2026
- It will pack a Micro 4 Thirds sensor and lens mount
- Dimensions and weight are just like these of a Ricoh GR III
Regardless of a rising demand for compact and pocket cameras, many of the massive manufacturers proceed leaving that market properly alone. Step within the privately-funded French startup, Esquisse Digicam.
It is a idea at the moment within the prototype improvement stage with a projected launch and supply in This autumn of 2026, however the preliminary Esquisse Digicam mockups and potential options acquired loads of photographers excited after they appeared on-line yesterday.
We’re a clear Leica-like minimalist rangefinder-style digital camera with a Micro 4 Thirds sensor and lens mount, that is an analogous dimension to a Ricoh GR IV (like a deck of playing cards). Relying on which lens you whack on it, this might be a genuinely pocketable digital camera.
Many are already drawing comparisons to the widely-admired Panasonic Lumix GM5 (from 2014), a tiny MFT digital camera that Panasonic now not makes regardless of the pleas of its admirers.
Being a Ricoh GR IIIx consumer and priced out of shopping for a Leica, I can definitely see the attraction of such a digital camera, which is projected to price between 1,500-2,000 USD / GBP.
There’s nonetheless a lot to be determined concerning the Esquisse Digicam’s design and options, however let’s take a fast run via of what we already know and the way photographers are responding to the idea to date.
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Effectively, if Panasonic will not…
Esquisse Digicam is concentrated on making a high-quality, minimalist small digital camera that appears the half, and the mockups, whereas clearly not remaining, are a promising begin.
The rangefinder-style, weather-resistant aluminum physique options simply three publicity dials on the highest, two perform buttons, one playback, and a clickwheel. A 3.69m-dot EVF is tucked into the nook, whereas a 3-inch contact show dominates the rear, which signifies simply how small the digital camera will likely be.
It is going to measure 105×70×35mm – that is a twinge greater than a Ricoh GR III – and weigh a complete of 350g (and not using a lens hooked up).
We needn’t issue within the extra weight of a battery and reminiscence, as a result of these parts are inner. That is proper, a non-removable battery and 256GB inner reminiscence.
The considering behind an inner battery is protecting the design as clear and strong as doable, however the early response is that such a design selection will likely be a dealbreaker for some. In the meantime, images from the inner reminiscence could be shared through USB or wirelessly, however there is no reminiscence card slot, like within the Sigma BF.
This will likely be a photography-only Micro 4 Thirds digital camera, taking pictures 20MP stills and no video, with ‘lightning-quick autofocus acquisition’.
In essence, we’re a tiny, premium-quality Micro 4 Thirds rangefinder that might be a enjoyable Leica and Fujifilm various as an on a regular basis carry. Côme Courteault of Esquisse Digicam advised me:
‘Our imaginative and prescient is to create a digital camera that mixes the timeless taking pictures really feel of a Leica M, the pocketability of a Ricoh GR, and the trendy efficiency of as we speak’s Micro 4 Thirds system.’
This would possibly not be the primary rangefinder-style digital camera to come back out of France – try the handbook focus solely Pixii. Nonetheless, it might be probably the most accessible.
I will be protecting a detailed eye on this venture and the way the digital camera develops. Will a hotshoe mount be added? Will there be any U-turns on any elements of the idea already shared? I am excited to see extra!
